Lost Treasures: The Wooden Synagogues of Eastern Europe The Artwork of Bill Farran
Jurbarkas, Lithuania - Original Linocut, Color
Jurbarkas, Lithuania - Original Linocut, Color
Yurburg [Yiddish]
Jurbarkas is first mentioned in a Jewish context in the 1590’s. In 1766, the Jewish population was 2,333. The community maintained a cemetery and a few prayer houses, among them the magnificent wooden synagogue built in 1790, one of the oldest in Lithuania. The synagogue was world famous for the wooden carved Aron Kodesh (Holy Ark). People found it hard to believe how such wonderful birds, animals and flowers could be carved out of wood, climbing from the floor all the way up to the ceiling.
The community was strongly influenced by the Haskalah ideas, a modernizing Jewish movement. In 1884, the local Talmud Torah began to teach mathematics and Russian in addition to traditional subjects.
After the German invasion in June 1941, mass shootings began. The Jews were forced to tear down the old wooden synagogue. Three days later Torah scrolls, and religious books were burned. Murders continued until September. On October 1, the mayor reported that no Jews remained in Jurbarkas. However, a few individuals survived, some joining the partisans.
Purchase a print
Original linocut prints are 8x10 inches, and are available either unmatted or in an 11x14 matte.
I also offer matted 5x7 digital prints. These prints are created from high-res digital images and come in an 8x10 matte.